Brett Prebble will be hungry to reclaim the premiership lead while Douglas Whyte starts a four-meeting ban and Successful Era can help his quest for a first riding title in Hong Kong by winning the opening leg of tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley, which is estimated to reach HK$9 million.
Successful Era has been sent out seven times this term, but has clearly been at his best sprinting over the 1,200m at the city course. He dashed home strongly after a slow start to finish fourth behind Whatafantasy with apprentice Ben So Tik-hung in the saddle on November 1, before returning later than month with another rallying effort under Gerald Mosse for fifth behind exciting Tai Sing Yeh.
The four-year-old was reproduced on December 23 with Whyte in the saddle and, after saving ground in midfield, he outfinished by a neck the smart pair of High Return and Absolute Hedge, who have totalled five wins since and are each in Class Three.
The son of Elusive City has since had three runs spread over the 1,400m at Sha Tin and two outdistanced efforts over a Valley mile, but can make amends and come out on top from gate two over his preferred 1,200m.
Planet rounded into form last time with a closing third behind Top Dragon and Rugby Heaven over this trip and can act as a dual banker play, while last-start winner Withallmyheart, Solar Up, Power and Gold and Asian Citrus are worth consideration.
In the middle leg, Sea Prince hasn't won since a first-up scalp on opening day over the 1,400m in Class Three, but has stayed on well for four fourths and two fifths in his next seven runs on the turf and dirt against the likes of You Gotta Pay, Aashiq and Needles And Thread.
